M&P Shield breech face issue?

tgmorris99 · Apr 16, 2012

I picked up a Shield the other day and did a light clean/oil before heading out to to the range on Sunday. For the size it's definitely much nicer to shoot than my LC9.

Anyway, after cleaning it up when I got home I noticed the breech face isn't as finished as the other M&P9's that I have. When doing the full clean I initially thought it was just carbon buildup but close inspection with a decent light showed that wasn't the case so I'll probably call S&W about it. Just wondering if anybody else has seen this on theirs. I know it shouldn't impact the way the gun works but it still doesn't seem right.

I am curious if this is typical of the first batch of the Shield in order to get as many out as possible vs. 100% QC. The test fire date on the cartridge was January, 2012 so I'm guessing they were passing just about everything to get inventory built up. From the appearance I would guess it was probably a problem with the original blank that was used prior to milling.

For comparison, my M&P9 Pro slide is smooth as can be.

HoLun · Apr 16, 2012

My shield is smooth, got a pic of your barrel hood? looks like the barrel hood may have sharp edges on it and digging onto the breech face

tgmorris99 · Apr 16, 2012

That was the first thing I though as well but it looks perfectly normal. Also, the one spot on the breech face is where the cartridge seats so the hood can't be impacting there.

HoLun · Apr 16, 2012

well the top edge does contact that area when the barrel is locking or unlocking, the top portions anyways, hmm may be just bad machining then.

tgmorris99 · Apr 16, 2012

I see what you are saying, and the one mark could possibly have been caused by some very hard debris while the barrel transitions down. Not sure what would explain the mark where the cartridge hits.

Thanks for the feedback.

jaykellogg · Apr 16, 2012

Did you collect your brass? If so, does this mark up the brass? Before you cleaned the gun, did you see brass shavings?

It looks like a machining issue to me.

tgmorris99 · Apr 16, 2012

I didn't collect the brass as I didn't see this until I returned from the range. I did not see anything related to brass shavings when doing the clean.

I'm thinking it was an issue with the unmachined blank.

angel71rs · Apr 16, 2012

tgmorris99 said:
I'm thinking it was an issue with the unmachined blank.

If it was porosity with the blank, it wouldn't be inline like that. I'm guessing they use a broach to machine the breech face. Maybe an issue with one of the teeth on the broach or some crud got stuck in the broach and caused the marks.

Moonman · Apr 16, 2012

It does look like some possible tearing of the metal.

EvilBetty · Apr 16, 2012

Could you post some comparison photos of your Shield and LC9? Stacked, side by side, etc.

Also, do you have any idea why Smith is suggesting against pocket carrying it?

tgmorris99 · Apr 16, 2012

EvilBetty said:
Could you post some comparison photos of your Shield and LC9? Stacked, side by side, etc.

Also, do you have any idea why Smith is suggesting against pocket carrying it?

Not really the right thread for that. Plus, a search shows this thread already has an ongoing discussion w/a few pics.

Fastbolt · Apr 16, 2012

If you call them and explain your concern, they'll probably send you a call tag to have the gun returned for examination under warranty.

I once had a S&W pistol that exhibited something similar in the way of chipping from what was probably a dulling cutter (or chatter when that slide was cut). In my case I thought it might become more than a cosmetic issue at some point, since it involved a fairly large divot located next to the firing pin hole. No functioning problems had occurred, but the size and location of the divot bothered me the more I looked at it.

They sent me a call tag and replaced the slide without any argument. They seem willing to err on the side of customer satisfaction (as long as it's remotely reasonable

).

Why not give them a call?

tgmorris99 · Apr 16, 2012

Thanks for the suggestion.

I've actually sent S&W customer service an email along with the pics so we'll see what happens. I'm in no real rush since it doesn't impact functionality at this point and I may take it along to a training class next Saturday. If I don't get a reply to the email I'll give them a call next week to get things rolling.

Fastbolt · Apr 16, 2012

General cs emails may take a while. It works better when you can get the email for a specific rep. Otherwise, calling might generate the call tag in a faster manner.

Enjoy the training class, regardless.

crracer_712 · Apr 16, 2012

Regarding the CS email. I emailed Smith and Wesson about a firearms manual that I didn't get with my M&P15 300 Whisper. To be honest about it, I'd forgotten all about it until I read the part about emailing S&W CS. I never heard from them, nor did I receive a manual. I'll be calling them tomorrow on that.

wachuko · Apr 16, 2012

Call... it is faster. I had a question regarding local availability for the Shield. Sent an email... no response. Called and they answered my question quickly.

dannybot · Apr 16, 2012

I doubt it would be debris as heavy as those marks are, considering that the slide is stainless, probably machining flaw as mentioned above.

High Altitude · Apr 16, 2012

My shield's breech face is smooth.

Call S&W, mention "Shield" and "problem" in the same sentence and they will be all over it with out any questions.

SMMAssociates · Apr 17, 2012

tgmorris99:

Just me, but I'd ignore it....

However, first look at some fired casings. If you see abrasion on the case head that matches the breech face, it might pay to ask S&W to fix it, particularly if you're reloading, or giving your casings to somebody who does.

Otherwise....

I'll go with the "crud on the cutter" suggestion - doesn't look too terrible from the pics.

S&W will likely replace your slide if asked nicely enough, though, if that's your choice.

Enjoy the gun! I'm probably not going to buy one at this point (I really don't need it, but don't tell S&W

), but I'm curious about how they put it together. I was at my local gun pusher's today, but they were too busy to yak. Next week or two, no doubt.

Regards,

novalty · Apr 17, 2012

If you didn't collect your brass from the range, you could always check your spent shell casing that came in the box with the gun. My 1911 had some un-machined metal left on the breech face, and the factory shell-casing exhibited the same line indent on the brass, that I was getting at the range--S&W had took care of it, had it back in less than 2 weeks.

M&P Shield breech face issue?

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